Process of producing pictures or designs.



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STATas latented March 'Th 1905.,

PROCESS OF PRODUlNG PICTURE@ @Fl DESllNSt SPECFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. '?84,169, dated March *7, 1905.

Be it known that l, HENRY C. MEncEaa citizen ol the United States, residing at Doylestown, in the county el Bucks and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful lmprovements in Processes ot' Producing Pictures or Designs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention pertains to the making oi2 pictures, designs, and the like; and, broadly stated, it contemplates a process whereby a person is enabled to multiply a picture, design, or analogous artistic creatiomeither original or otherwise, and display in each production artistic skill, so that each possesses individualityT and has the nat-ure of an original rather than that ot' a mere copy or print.

lzrimarilw7 the process is designed to enable an artist to quickly and cheaply create a pieture, design, or the like,v which he conceives in somewhat the same manner as in wood-cutting as originally practiced, and multiply the picture or design and display in each production evidences of his artistic ability.

With the foregoing in mind the invention will be fully understood lrom the Afollowing description and claims when taken in connection with the accomiianying drawings, 'ternir ing part of this si'iecilication, in which Figure l is a view of a copy ol a picture produced in accordance with my invention, and Figs. 2 to 9 are sectional views illustrative of the steps included in my novel process.

Similar letters oit' reference designate corresponding parts in all of the views of the drawings.

ln carrying out my process ll lirst draw the outlines of a picture, design, or the like, and, where desired, other lines--sucl1, Alor instance, as those to indicate shading or middle valuesupon a sheet of paper, textile fabric, orother suitable material. l then lay the sheet back down upon a iiat slab A, Fig. 2, oll clay, model ers wax, castingsand,or other material adapted to be impressed and go over the lines-wif. e., both outlines and the lines to indicate shading or middle values-#with a pencil or other instrument, so that upon the removal oi' the sheet the lines appear on the tace of the slab f l then through the medium ol a chisel,

Application filed September 22, 1904. Serial No. 225,467'.

l knife, or other means lorm channels a a ot' V shape or other shape in cross-sectiol'i in the Jface of the slab, the channels a correspoiuling to the lines oi' the picture or design, as shown in Fig. 3*'1 e., the boldlines or outlinesw--and the channels fr. corresponding to the liner lines indicating shzuling or middle values. l next pour plaster-(.)f-paris or other material adapted to be cast or molded on the slab A, Fig. 4, and by so doing produce a type li, Fig. .l, having raised portions 7;, designed to reproduce the outlines ol" the picture or design, and the raised portions designed to reproduce the shade or value indicating lines ot' the picture or design in the manner hereinafter described. l then invert the type l): and, il neeessary, suitably reduce its raised portions toa common height,al"ter which l lay athin slab (l, Fig. 5, olI plastic or other material, on the type Band press said slabdown into the depressions ol the said type. 'lhen l turn the type B and the slab (l over, so that the type li is nl'n'iermost, as shown in Fig. (i, remove the type B from the slab, and cutentirely through the slab where depressionsare Aformed by the raised portion /f ot the type` and by so doingl divide the slab into a plurality olI blocks or subtypes l), Fig. T, each oli which blocks or subtypes corresponds in shape and size to one of the (flein'essions ol. the type li, the walls ol which are lorined by the raised portions of said type. ,i do not, however, cut through the slab where depressions are Formed by the raised portions ol the type, the latter depressions (lettered bi in Fig. T) being designed to serve as sockets for the raised por tions b of the type when the subtypes are in use, as presently (,lescribed. Subsequent to the formation oi' the subtypes l), I may in order to expeditiously assemble the said subtypes l.) in proper relation to the type R place the said type li over the suln'ypes l) and then turn the whole over, so that the type B is lowermost and each subtype rests in its respective depression of the type and on any raised portions that may occur therein and extends above the raised portions delining the areas o'lt the depressioils. l desire it understood, however, that the subtypes may be assembled in proper relation to each other in any other manner compatible with the purposes of my invention.

Then made of clay or analogous material, the blocks or subtypes D will in drying shrink on all sides equally, so as to afford spaces between them for thelines of the picture or design to be produced through the medium of the type B in the manner hereinafter described. Said subtypes D when made of clay or analogous material may be and preferably are burned to render them hard and durable.,

It is not essential, however, that they be hard, since they are not subjected to pressure, as will be hereinafter understood.

It will be readily appreciated that in the manner described the subtypes D corresponding in shape to the depressions defined by the raised portions L of the type B may be very quickly and easily produced.

In the practice of my process the artist first conceives the picture, design, or the like and then draws the same upon a sheet of suitable material, and then in the manner described he provides the means-z'. e., the type B and the subtypes D-for enabling him to quickly and easily produce a multiplicity of his creations. In accomplishing this latter either the color areas or the outlines and other lines may be produced first, as described. I will, however, for the sake of convenience describe the process by which the color areas and the outlines and other lines-z'. e., the lines to indicate shading or middle valuesare produced in the order named.

To produce the picture upon a sheet of paper or other material, the type B is fastened on atable, and the subtype or subtypes D, corresponding to the divisions of the picture which are to be colored, say, green, are alone placed in said type B. The sheet of paper or other material (indicated by E in Fig. 8) is then placed on the form which the type B and subtypes Dconstitute and is registered by any of the devices known in the art of printing, after which the artist grasps yan applier of wood-pulp, asbestos, or other suitable material, places or takes up green pigment on the same, and rubs the applier over the face or upperside of the sheet. W'hen this is done, the subtypes D in the type B effect the application of the green pigment to the portions of the upper side of the sheet exactly above said subtypes; but no other portion or portions of the sheet take the green pigment. The sheet is then removed and other sheets are placed on the form and removed therefrom in succession, green pigment being applied to each sheet while the same is on the form in the same manner that it is applied to the first sheet. The subtypes for the divisions of the picture to be colored green are then removed from the type B, and other subtypes corresponding to the divisions of the picture to be colored, say, brown, are then placed in their respective depressions of the type B. 'lhe sheets are then placed on and removed from the form in succession, brown pigment being rubbed on the face of each sheet while it is on the form, when the portions of the sheet ex actly above the subtypes, but no other por tions, will take the brown pigment. This operation is repeated until all of the colors included in the pictures are applied to the faces or upper sides of all of the sheets, when the sheets are ready to receive the lines of the pictures. To produce the lines on the sheets, all of the subtypes D are removed from the type B, and the sheets are laid on and removed from the type B in succession, black pigment, for instance, being rubbed over the face of each sheet while it is on the type B. IVhen this is done, it willA be observed that the sheets will take the black pigment at points over the raised portions of the type B to form the outlines of the pictures and at points over the raised portions L of said type B to form the shading or middle values in the areas defined by the outlines, the black being disposed over the colors in said areas and varying the tones of the colors. In this way it will be observed that the colored divisions of the picture will be separated and shaded and the pictures completed.

In the use of the subtypes D in the type B in the manner before described it will be un derstood that the subtypes project above the raised portions Y) of the type and rest over the raised portions thereof, so that while the subtypes are in use the said raised portions?) and are idle.

In some cases the subtypes D may be made .to iit closely together, in which event there will be no outlines or stripes between the colored divisions, and hence no necessity of placing the sheets on the type B to receive the outlines of the picture or design after all ofthe divisions of the picture are colored. Again, the subtypes may be made to lit so closely as to cause the different colors to overlap each other. which in some, but not all pictures or designs, will add to the beauty thereof. In either case the outlines of the picture or design may be produced or not on the sheets, as desired, without involving departure from the scope of my invention. I also desire it understood that when it is not desired to shade with lines the raised portions of the type B may be omitted. In this event by rubbing the colored divisions on their respective subtypes the tints of the colors may be varied and beautiful effects produced.

In my novel process it will be observed that the forment e., the type B and subtypes D is the creation of the artist and that in the production of the pictures the same appear on the sheets immediately under the eye of the artist, and because of this and the fact that the artist applies the colors by hand the artist is enabled to display his ability in thc production of each picture; also, the artist can super- IOO impose various colors upon others, and thereby obtain a great variety of color tones and enhance the beauty of the picture. From this it Vfollows that my process involves a combi nation of Afreehand painting with printing, the major portion oi' the workAAM .e. ,the d rudgery-being' accomplished by the apparatus and the variation in tone, linishing, or master touches, &c., by the hand of the artist.

The mode described ot producing the type and subtypes is very simple and expeditious and is materially advantageous for such reason. lY do not desire, however, to be understood as conlining myself to such mode, as the type and subtypes may be produced in any manner compatible with the purposes of my invention without involving a departure :from the scope ot' my invention.

ln lieu ol" forming the type B with the raised portions tor indicating' shade-lines the subtypes may becast with lines 'for shading' upon them, in which event in printing these lines will take the special color ot the pigment that the subtypes take, while other lines and outlines in the picture may be of another color or colors.

YV hen desired, the type Band the subtypes l) may be used in a press, ink being applied to the taces of the subtypes, also inl( or paint may be applied to the faces o't' the subtypes, the sheet ot paper,or other material placed on the subtypes, and a pad rubbed over the sheet after the Japanese Inode ot printing' without involving' departure l'roln the scope ot my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. lhe process ot' producing pictures or designs, which consists in providing' the surface oiAl a slab with a picture or design, Vforming' depressions in the slab along the lines of the picture or design, molding a type on the slab, whereby the type is provided with raised and depressed portions, forming' subtypes correspending inshape to the depressions of the type, placing one or more oi said subtypes in the corresponding depression or depressions o'l the type, placing' a sheet ol. material over the form, and applying pigment, ink or subtype or subtylies, removing the subtype or subtypes Vfrom the type, placing' the sheet over the said type, and applying' pigment, ink or the like to the portions of the sheet over the raised portions ot the type.

The process oi' producing pictures or designs, which consists in providing the surface of a slab with a picture or design, lorming depressions in the slab along the lines oi the pieture or design, molding a type on the slab, whereby the type is provided with raised portions and depressions, forming subtypes corresponding in shape to the depressions ol the tppe, placing one or more ot' said subtypes in the corresl'ionding depression or depressions ot' the type, placing a sheet of material over the term, and appl ying' pigment to the lace or exposed side o'll the sheet, whereby 'the poi tion or portions of the sheet above the subtype or subtypes will alone take the pigment.

4. .lhe process o1 producing picturesor designs, which consists in providingthesurtaee o1 a slab with a picture or design, forming' depressions in the slab along' the lines of the picture or design, molding a type on the slab, whereby the type is provided with raised portions and depressions, forming subtypes corresponding in shape to the depressions ot' the type, placing one or more olE said subtypes in the corresponding depression or d epressions ol the type, placing' a sheet olI material over the form, applying' iriigment to the lace or ex posed side ot' the sheet, whereby the portion or portions ot the sheet above the subtype or subtypes will alone take the pigment, removing' the subtype or subtypes from the type, placing the sheet over the type, and applying pigment to the face or exposed side o'li the sheet, whereby the portion or portions ol the sheet above the raised portions of the type will alone take the pigment.

5. '.lhe process ot producing pictures or de signs, which consists in providing the surlaee oi a slab with a picture or design, lormingde pressions in the slab along' the lines ol'l the picture or design, molding' a type on the slab, whereby the type provided with raised portions and depressions, molding subtypes on the ty pe, separating' the subtypes, placing' one or more oli said subtypes in the corresponding' IOO IIS

the like to the por tion or portions ot' the sheet over the subtype or subtypes.

2. The process ot' producing' pictures or designs, which consists in provitgling the surface of a slab with a picture or design, tOrmiUgde pressions in the slab along the lines oi" the picture or design, molding' a type on the slab, whereby the type is provided with raised portions and depressions, forming' subtypes correspomling in shape to the depressions of the type, placing' one or more ot' said subtypes in the correspondingdepression or depressions ot' the type, placing' a sheet o1 material over the lorm, applying' pigment, inl( or the like J to the portion or portions oil the sheet over the depression ordepressions el the type, placing a sheet et material over the form, and applying pigment, ink or the like tothe portion or portions oi the sheet over the subtype or subtypes.

6. The process of producing' pictures or designs, which consists in providing the surface of a slab with a picture or design, forming de pressions in the slab along the lines ot the picture or design, molding' a type on the slab, whereby the type is provided with raised portions and depressions, molding' subtypes on the type, separating1 the subtypes, placing' one or more of said subtypes in the corresponding' depression or depressions of the type, placing' -a sheet of material over the form, applying pig'ment, ink or the like to the portion or portions of the sheet over the subtype or subtypes, removing the subtype or subtypes from the type, placing the sheet over the said type, and applying pigment, ink or the like to the portions of the sheet over the raised portions of the type.

7. The process of producing pictures or designs, which consists in making' a type having raised portions and depressions, making subtypes corresponding in shape to the depressions of the type, placing one or more of said subtypes in the corresponding depression or depressions of the type, placing' a sheet of material over the form, and applying pigment, ink or the like to the portion or portions of the sheet over the subtype or subtypes.

8. The process of producing' pictures or designs, which consists in making a type having raised portions and depressed portions, making' subtypes corresponding in shape to the depressions of the type, placing one or more of said subtypes in the corresponding depression or depressions of the type, placing a sheet of material over the form, applying pigment, ink or the like to the portion or portions of Y the sheet over the subtype or subtypes, re-

moving the subtype or subtypes from the type, placing the sheet over the said type, and applying' pigment, ink or the like to the portions of the sheet over the raised portions oi' the type.

9. The process of producing' pictures or designs, which consists in placing a sheet of material over subtypes and applying pigment to the exposed surface of the sheet by rubbing the pigment over the portions of the sheet over said su btypes', and placing the sheet over a type having raised portions and depressions and applying pigment to the exposed surface of the sheet by rubbing pigment over the portions of the sheet over the raised portions of the type.

10. The process ot' producing pictures or designs, which consists in making a type having raised portions 7) and L anddep'ressed portions,making subtypes corresponding in shape to the depressions ot' the type, placing one or more of said subtypes in the corresponding depression or depressions of the type, placing a sheet otl material over the form, applying' pigment, ink or the like to the portion or portions ot' the sheet over the subtype or subtypes, removing' the subtype or subtypes from the type, placing the sheet over the said type, and applying pigment, ink or the like to the portions of the sheet over the raised portions or' the type.

l11. The process of producing pictures or designs, which consists in making a type havraised portions and depressions, making' subtypes eorresponding in shape to the depressions of the type, placing one or more oi' said subtypes in the corresponding depression or depressions of the type, placing a sheet ot' material over the form, utilizing either the type or one or more of the subtypes to form shadelines, and applying pigment, ink or the like to the portion or portions of the sheet over the subtype or subtypes.

In testimony Whereotl I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing' Witnesses.

HENRY C. MERCER.

Vitn esses: WM. STUCKERT,

JOHN L. DU Bols. 

